1-13-2012
Random acts of kindness were something for which my late husband was known. What made his acts so special was the fact that he had very meager means with which to do them. His greatest joy in life was bringing happiness to others. He never wanted any praise or attention. He would see a friend eating in a restaurant and as he left he would pay for their meal or he’d pay for groceries for a widow on a fixed income. He would write letters of commendation to managers if he saw an employee going beyond the call of duty at a store. He gave countless numbers of memorial state quarters to children and elderly people who were collecting them.
Jim passed away on August 11, 2011, from a series of mini strokes. I knew this first Christmas without him would be sad, but to my surprise I received a copy of a letter he had sent to a friend many years ago. He was a huge Elvis Presley fan, and when the Elvis commemorative stamp was issued he bought several, had them postmarked at Tupelo, MS, on Elvis’ birthday, and sent to some of his friends. For some reason this friend found her letter stashed away and made a copy of it and sent it to me this past Christmas. As I read his sweet letter tears poured down my cheeks. My best Christmas present was simply a reminder of the random acts of kindness that my husband had done.
Billie Freeland
Red Bay, Alabama
